What is the police promotion exam?
In England and Wales, officers going for promotion to Sergeant or Inspector must pass a national legal knowledge exam. It is Step 2 of the National Police Promotion Framework (NPPF) and is set by the College of Policing. It is often still called by its old name, OSPRE Part 1.
The exam checks that you know the law and procedure you will need to supervise others. It is the only part of the promotion process that is the same for every force in the country.
Where it fits in the promotion process
- Step 1 - eligibility. Your line manager confirms you are ready and competent in your current rank.
- Step 2 - the legal exam. The national multiple choice exam covered on this page.
- Step 3 - in-force selection. Your force's own process, matched to the vacancies it expects to have.
- Step 4 - work-based assessment. A temporary promotion of at least 12 months before the rank is confirmed.
A pass is valid for five years (less one day) from the date you sit the exam, so you have time to get through the later steps.
The exam format
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 multiple choice questions, each with four options and one correct answer |
| Marking | 10 questions are removed after the sitting, so you are scored on 140 |
| Time | 3 hours, which works out at about 72 seconds per question |
| Where | Online, on any day within the exam window, starting between 8am and 8pm |
| Pass mark | Sergeants 55% (77 of 140); Inspectors 65% (91 of 140) |
| Results | Within about three weeks of the exam |
All the questions are scenario based. You will usually read a short policing situation and choose which statement is legally correct. The four options are often very close, so knowing the exact rank, time limit or test matters. See the pass mark guide for more on how scoring works.
What the exam covers
The syllabus for 2027 is the 2027 edition of the Blackstone's Police Manuals, which the College of Policing says candidates should use rather than older editions. The manuals are split into three volumes:
- Crime - including theft and fraud, sexual offences, homicide, assaults, drugs, firearms and weapons.
- Evidence and Procedure - including PACE Code C, powers of arrest, stop and search, bail, interviews, disclosure and identification.
- General Police Duties - including road policing, public order, mental health, use of force, licensing and misconduct.
You can browse every topic, with free worked questions, on the topics page.
Who can sit it?
For the Sergeants' exam you must be a substantive constable with at least two years' service who has completed probation. For the Inspectors' exam you must be a substantive Sergeant who meets the step four requirements. Your force examinations officer confirms your eligibility and registers you. Check the official candidate handbook for the full rules.
2027 dates
There are now two Sergeants' sittings and two Inspectors' sittings a year.
| Exam | Registration | Exam window | Results expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeants - March | 18 January to 6pm, 18 February 2027 | 16 to 18 March 2027 | 8 April 2027 |
| Inspectors - May | 15 March to 6pm, 15 April 2027 | 11 to 13 May 2027 | 3 June 2027 |
| Sergeants - October | 3 August to 6pm, 9 September 2027 | 5 to 7 October 2027 | 28 October 2027 |
| Inspectors - November | 6 September to 6pm, 4 October 2027 | 2 to 4 November 2027 | 25 November 2027 |
Registration is through your force. Full details are on the 2027 exam dates page.
How to prepare
Most candidates spend around three to four months revising. Because the exam tests whether you can apply the law precisely, practising realistic multiple choice questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare. Our guide on how to revise sets out a simple plan.